Every nation has its own, ancient history, unique and mysterious tradition.Part of the story is, of course, and religious beliefs, which in most cases led by the developed countries.At one time, ancient Greece was a kind of model of highly developed countries, and religion of the ancient Greeks was the perfect system, which became part of other cultures, including the Roman Empire.
Today, almost every person in the world is familiar with some of the myths, the creators of which were Greeks.Religion just found them in the display.Who is not familiar with the history of the mighty Hercules, or the beautiful stories about Aphrodite?Yes, today is nothing more than entertaining stories, but in its time it was the real religion of the ancient Greeks.
Greek religion began to emerge around the end of the second millennium BC, as it was at the time the Greeks began a transition to the slave mode of life, creating the first civilized city, indulging in the study of art, engaged in cattle breeding.
In those days science, as such, did not exist and the ancient people did not have even the most basic explanations of natural phenomena such as lightning, rain and drought.That is why they started to create beliefs which attributed completely around the incomprehensible divine essence.
Religion of the ancient Greeks telling us that in the beginning of time, there was only chaos, from which were created the first gods, the children were mighty and fearsome giants.
Greek people created a pantheon of deities, which, according to legend, lived in the world-famous Mount Olympus, which to this day is in the territory of Northern Greece.The ancients believed that the man who defiled the holy place and tried to climb into the "realm of the gods," will never be able to return home.
Greek religion claimed that there are twelve major gods, each of which had their duties, has some talent and, at the same time, and disadvantages.The main issue here was Zeus, who was considered the almighty god of lightning and thunder.That is what belonged to God the supreme power.
His wife, whose name was Hera, ancient people worshiped as a homemaker and family happiness.
Zeus also had several brothers, the most powerful of which was considered to Poseidon.That he was a formidable ruler of sea elements, which was able to cause storms and storms.An inherent part of his appearance was a trident.His hard work helped him minor deities, such as sea nymphs and gods of the wind.
Yet another brother - Hades - commanded the realm of the dead.They say that to get to the soul of the deceased had to swim across the river Styx and meet with a terrible monster Cerberus.Return there could not be anyone.
Zeus and had several children, who were considered no less powerful, and whom the Greeks worshiped for centuries.For example, considered the god of light Apollo, which, incidentally, patronized art and poetry.
Artemis - Aplonov twin sister - was the patroness of hunters, defender of flora and fauna.Sacred animal of the goddess was a doe.
Ares considered formidable, unmanageable and violent god of war, who helped the Greeks in battle.And Athena, according to legend, was born from the head of Zeus, was also a patron of the art of war, as well as the goddess of wisdom.By the way, her cult praised residents of the city of the same name.
Probably everyone has heard of Aphrodite, born from the sea foam.This goddess was a real model of beauty, and caused such feelings as love and passion.
Hephaestus is considered lame blacksmith god.People believed that the weapons made by his hands, was invincible, and possess it, received full authority over the enemy.
messenger Hermes was considered, as well as unsurpassed thief.
main deities were not the only objects of worship.Religion of the ancient Greeks claimed that there are thousands of small gods who helped to run the world.These were the nymphs, satyrs and other supernatural beings.
In addition, the Greeks believed in the dangerous monsters, which feared most.It is worth remembering just about Cerberus and the Minotaur.
This brief description of the religious beliefs of the Greek population, and gives an idea about the way of life.After all, each dedicated to the god of temples in their honor held ceremonies of praise and tried to cajole, believing that they can help to achieve well-being.
In the days of ancient philosophy of religion has acquired a secondary meaning as these people, and gave the first breath of modern science.And over time, across the country spread Christian beliefs.So today the pantheon of ancient gods is no more beautiful than the characters of fairy tales.
